When Love Comes Around (Love Conquers All) (13 page)

“Don’t give me that dumb look. Why are you calling my mother looking for me?” he snapped.

Covering her mouth with a dainty hand, she giggled, “Oh that.” She waved her hand dismissing her actions. “I thought you’d be there since I haven’t been able to get in touch with you.” For added affect, she pouted, “I’ve missed you.”

Moments lapsed before Kevin responded. Was she really that dense? How many times had he conveyed to her that he was no longer interested? That what they had was over?

“Look, Trina, I’ve told you as nice as I could that it’s over. So you need to stop calling me.” His voice dropped an octave as he coolly warned, “And my mother…don’t you ever call her again…understand?”

Snatching her head back as if she’d been smacked across the face, Trina blinked back the tears. Why was he doing this? All the other times they broke up and saw other people they always ended up back together when those relationships fizzled out. What was so different this time?

No it can’t be!
Anger replaced hurt feelings. Crossing her arms over her chest, tapping her foot, she shot daggers at Kevin. “Who is
she?
Who’s the little slut you’re banging?” Trina screeched at the top of her lungs.

Before he realized it, he shot back, “None of your damn business! And you of all people should not be calling anyone a slut!”

She had some nerve. The girl was running neck and neck with Kevin when it came to the number of notches on her bedpost. Hell, he admitted he was a man whore.

Trina sucked in a dramatic breath as her hand flew to her chest. She couldn’t believe he all but called her a slut.

Again, with the dramatics, she stomped to the front door and flung it open. “Get the hell out of my house!”

“Best damn thing I heard all night!” Kevin bellowed as he stormed past her nearly knocking her over.

Trina was beside herself. This is not how she planned on her night ending. She knew calling his mother would get his attention. After hanging up with his mom she’d put her plan of seduction in motion. She showered, sprayed perfume all over her body, slipped into some sexy, daring lingerie and waited. She banked on the moment Kevin laid eyes on her, that all would be forgiven. From there she would lure him into her bed. How wrong she had been. Instead, the man had treated her as if she had active tuberculosis.

Not wanting to give him the satisfaction of having the last word, Trina ran outside down the walkway, not caring that she was practically naked. “You…you…baldheaded jackass!”

She became even more furious as she watched Kevin’s broad shoulders shake from laughing at her hysterics as he flipped her the finger.

Tears streaming down her face she swore, “I’m going to get you Kevin Dawson if it’s the last thing I do.”

In nervous anticipation, Starr chewed the inside of her cheek. Kevin had called early this morning asking her to come with him to meet his mother. Though she was nervous, she was giddy knowing he wanted her to meet his mother.

Lowering her eyes, she inspected herself, making certain the short-sleeved lavender linen dress she wore wasn’t too short. Slightly leaning over, she inspected sandal-covered feet checking for any chips of nail polish on her manicured toes. Flipping the visor down, she next peered into the mirror searching for any wayward strands of hair. Growing up her mother had always drilled into her, “Always put your best foot forward when meeting someone for the first time.” According to her momma that included being properly dressed and making sure your hair was in place and not a nappy mess.

Keeping his eyes on the road, Kevin reached over and flipped the visor back up.

“Hey, I was using that.” Starr said trying to suppress the irritation in her voice.

Taking her hand he kissed it. “Baby, you look fine. Stop worrying.”A surge of heat and chills shot through her at the same time from his moist lips making contact with her skin. “Who said I was worrying.”

Chuckling he answered, “You’ve been restless ever since you got in this car.”

Starr let out a soft groan. “That obvious, huh?” Of course, she was nervous. After all, she was meeting her mother-in-law for the first time.

Kevin smiled. “Uh-huh. Don’t worry, Momma’s gonna love you. Trust me.”

She wanted to tell him that the last time she trusted a man she ended up with her heart broken in a million and one pieces. “Easy for you to say. And how you know she’s gonna like me?” She grumbled crossing her arms over her chest.

“Because she will.” He assured as he brought her hand to his lips again, this time kissing her wrist at the pulse point.

“Oh…okay.” Starr stammered as her heart rate increased from the sweet caress.

♥♥♥

“I told you she would like you.” Kevin whispered in Starr’s ear as they sat snuggled on the sofa with a photo album on their laps.

Upon introductions, the petite, elderly Mrs. Dawson drew Starr to her bosom in a motherly embrace. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

Finally meet me.
Starr hid her surprise as she returned the embrace. She wondered if Kevin had told her of their haphazard Vegas nuptials. No, Kevin would have told her. He wouldn’t let her walk in there blind…would he?

All of Starr’s stressing had been for naught. Mrs. Dawson made her feel welcomed from the moment she invited her into her home. She had been the perfect hostess. First offering, then insisting Starr join her in a glass of iced tea and a slice of lemon cake.

Kevin playfully feigned jealousy. “What? I don’t rate some tea and a slice of my Momma’s lemon cake?”

Starr’s heart melted when the little lady placed a tiny hand on each side of his face pulling his forehead down to meet her lips. “Of course Momma’s baby can have some tea and cake.”

The tender sentiment between mother and son was what Starr longed for. She wanted a man to love her and give her a wonderful son like Kevin. Ava was right. Looking at Kevin and his mother, she didn’t want her child to be fathered by some unknown donor. A wave of sadness washed over her as she painfully wondered if she would ever have either. Just because they decided to be
friends
didn’t mean he had fully committed himself.
Lord, please, all I want is a good man to love me and give me a child.

Sitting across from her youngest son and his new lady friend gave Beverly hope. She studied the couple as they looked at old baby pictures of Kevin and his older brother, Richard Jr. A faint, demure smile touched her lips as she nodded her silver head.
She’s the one.
Beverly was observant of the way the younger woman’s eyes sparkle and how her laughter came out melodious as she ooh’d and ahh’d over the baby pictures. She noticed how each time Starr lightly tapped her son on the knee before saying, “Oh, look at you. You were such a cute baby.” Or “Aw, look how chubby you were.” And when she broke out into a fit of giggles hugging the photo album to her chest with Kevin attempting to pry the album from her clutches, Beverly knew she had stumbled upon,
the picture.

“Momma, I asked you, begged you to take that picture out.” Kevin groaned in embarrassment, his caramel coloring turning a tinge of pink.

“Stop being a baby. It’s an adorable picture.” Starr teased.

“Let me see.” Beverly said reaching for the photo album although she was aware of the picture, which brought her son embarrassment.

Sticking her tongue out at Kevin like a five-year-old, Starr tugged the album from his grasp and handed it to Beverly.

A fond smile curved her lips as she looked at the toddler in the picture. She remembered that warm, sunny afternoon like it was yesterday. The day was an Easter Sunday. The then three-year-old Kevin had become irritable dressed in the little three-piece navy blue suit and dress shoes. As Beverly talked with the Pastor’s wife, Kevin had maneuvered out of her line of vision. Sitting down on the lush green manicured lawn, the toddler proceeded to remove every stitch of clothing. Everything. Richard Sr.’s deep rumbling baritone laughter caught his wife’s attention causing her to spin around.

“Oh, my Lord! Richard, this is not funny! Put that camera down and get
your
son!” Beverly yelped as she watched in horror her baby boy running stark naked squealing in delight on the front lawn of the church as his daddy snapped picture after picture.

Starr threw her head back and laughed until tears came from her eyes as his mother recanted the story of that afternoon long ago. Even Kevin chuckled though he heard the same version of the story a hundred times. “Oh, my. Look at the time,” Beverly noted out loud, as she looked at her watch. “My quilting club will be coming over shortly.” Turning to Starr, “Do you know how to quilt dear?”

Starr shook her head. “No ma’am.”

“Well, maybe Kevin can bring you over the next time my club meets and I could teach you.”

Starr felt honored Beverly was inviting her into her circle. “I would love for you to teach me how to make a quilt.”

Saying their goodbyes at the door, the elderly woman hugged the younger woman. “It was a pleasure meeting you.” Although Starr had just promised to come back to learn quilting, the older woman emphasized with a sincere smile, “Don’t let this be your last time coming to see me.”

“It won’t be. I promise.”

Kevin gently squeezed Beverly in a bear hug. “I’ll call you later pretty lady.”

“All right son.” Before she released her hold, she whispered, “I like her. She’s good for you son.”

Watching the couple stroll hand in hand, Beverly whispered a prayer of thanksgiving. “Thank you, Lord. You have answered my prayers. Starr’s the one. I know she is.” Closing her door, she was confident by next year this time she would be a grandmother.

“You two stop that running!” She yelled behind the tiny balls of energy making a path between the throngs of shoppers. Dodging in and out between the sea of people was making it almost impossible to keep her focus on them. The last thing she needed was for some crazy, sick pervert to be within close proximity lurking in the shadows. If anything happened to those kids, she would have to hop the first plane out of the country to hideout in a cave.

The energized toddlers obediently slowed their running to a slight jog at the sound of the stern, yet loving adult voice.

“Okay, Auntie Ava.” The two cherub faces sang in unison as they returned the few feet they had gotten away from their auntie.

Smiling down at the beautiful pair, she stretched out her arms prompting them each to take a hand. Ava loved spending time with her godchildren, NJ and Autumn. When Summer expressed she needed to “get these kids out of my hair” so she could shop in peace for a party dress, Ava jumped at the chance.

Taking the kids to the food court in the King of Prussia Mall for ice cream was the perfect distraction to allow her the time she needed to find the perfect dress to wear to Kevin’s big bash. He was throwing a huge party announcing the official launch of Dawson’s Investments. And she couldn’t do that with two very active toddlers underfoot. She was grateful when Ava volunteered. “You go ahead in Nordstrom’s, and I’ll take the guppies to get something to eat.”

Summer raised a suspicious eyebrow at her sister-friend. Yes, she was grateful; however, she wasn’t totally convinced she should trust her babies with Ava. It wasn’t that she was afraid of them getting hurt while in her care. She was more afraid of Ava allowing them to get into mischief. You see, Ava found everything the spirited tots did hilarious.

She would never forget the last time she allowed her to baby sit. The evening started off like any other evening, godmother and godchildren enjoying their special time together. Ava fed the kids dinner, bathed them, and the trio retired to the family room to watch a Disney movie. After the movie, she had taken the kids to their room to read them a bedtime story. Halfway through the story, the telephone in the other room began to ring. Leaving the children for no more than a minute to answer the phone, she heard Autumn’s high-pitched screams. Thinking something awful had happened Ava dropped the phone as she ran back into the kids’ room.